Back to EveryPatent.com
| United States Patent |
5,267,859
|
|
Discko, Jr.
|
December 7, 1993
|
Bulk dental cartridge
Abstract
A dental cartridge for dispensing a dental material having a body portion
made of a material transparent to at least a portion of the visible light
spectrum and opaque to the actinic light of the dental material contained
therein. Also, a dental cartridge having a body portion formed from a
toroidal segment and a coaxial nozzle attached thereto. The dental
cartridges are used in a dental syringe for application of the dental
material to a patient. Several embodiments provide various discharge end
configurations, including hemispherical, conical frustum, and flat.
Additionally, dosing indicia are placed on the body portion of the dental
cartridge, permitting the dentist to fill the dental cartridge with a
predetermined volume of dental material. A specially configured piston
having an appendage thereon is used in combination with the dental
cartridge for extruding substantially all of the costly dental material
therein.
| Inventors:
|
Discko, Jr.; John (Hamden, CT)
|
| Assignee:
|
Centrix, Inc. (Shelton, CT)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
941231 |
| Filed:
|
September 4, 1992 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
433/89; 433/90 |
| Intern'l Class: |
A61C 005/04 |
| Field of Search: |
433/72,80,82,89
604/189
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
| 3581399 | Jun., 1971 | Dragan | 32/60.
|
| 3724076 | Apr., 1973 | Schmitz | 32/60.
|
| 3770026 | Nov., 1973 | Isenberg | 604/51.
|
| 3884231 | May., 1975 | Peters | 128/235.
|
| 3900954 | Aug., 1975 | Dragan | 32/60.
|
| 4064879 | Dec., 1977 | Leibinsohn | 604/121.
|
| 4198756 | Apr., 1980 | Dragon | 222/326.
|
| 4295828 | Oct., 1981 | Rudler | 433/90.
|
| 4384853 | May., 1983 | Welsh | 433/90.
|
| 4391590 | Jul., 1983 | Dougherty | 433/90.
|
| 4551135 | Nov., 1985 | Gorman et al. | 604/82.
|
| 4658993 | Apr., 1987 | Vlasich | 222/390.
|
| 4708650 | Nov., 1987 | Holewinski et al. | 433/90.
|
| 4767326 | Aug., 1988 | Bennett et al. | 433/90.
|
| 4784607 | Nov., 1988 | Francois | 433/90.
|
| 4950163 | Aug., 1990 | Zimble | 433/215.
|
| Foreign Patent Documents |
| 5701465 | Jul., 1979 | BR.
| |
Primary Examiner: Mancene; Gene
Assistant Examiner: Cherichetti; Cindy
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Fattibene; Paul A., Fattibene; Arthur T.
Parent Case Text
This is a division, of application Ser. No. 07/740,304, filed on Aug. 5,
1991 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,165,890 which is a division of application Ser.
No. 07/637,823 filed on Jan. 7, 1991 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,122,057.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A bulk dental cartridge used in dispensing light activated dental
material comprising:
a cylinder portion having an open end and a discharge end adapted to accept
a single patient cartridge thereon, said cylinder portion being made of a
material transparent to at least a portion of the visible light spectrum
and opaque to the actinic light of the dental material;
a threaded nut having a bore therein attached to the open end of said
cylinder portion; and
a piston adapted to fit through the bore of said nut and within said
cylinder portion.
2. A bulk dental cartridge as in claim 1 further comprising:
dosing lines placed on said cylinder portion.
3. A bulk dental cartridge as in claim 1 wherein:
said piston is a contrasting color to that of said cylinder portion.
4. A bulk dental cartridge used in dispensing light activated dental
material comprising:
a cylinder portion having an open end and a discharge end adapted to accept
a single patient cartridge thereon;
a threaded nut having a bore therein attached to the open end of said
cylinder portion; and
a piston adapted to fit through the bore of said nut and within said
cylinder portion, said piston having at least two alternating colors
indicating the dose of dental material extruded from said cylinder as said
piston advances.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to dental cartridges for dispensing
dental filling composite material with a leveraged extruding syringe and
more particularly to an improved cartridge.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Since the first introduction of a composite resin dental material filling
syringe, such as the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,581,399 entitled
"Composite Resin Filling Syringe and Technique" issuing to Dragan on Jun.
1, 1971, there have been many improvements thereto. These improvements
often related to the cartridge or tip containing the dental filling
material used within a syringe, gun, or extruding device.
Two examples of improved dental cartridges can be found in U.S. Pat. No.
4,391,590 entitled "Cartridge for Viscous Material" issuing to Dougherty
on Jul. 5, 1983 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,963,093 entitled "Dental Syringe Tip
and Syringe Holder Therefor" issuing to Dragan on Oct. 16, 1990. Both of
these patents disclose a cartridge or tip to be placed in a syringe for
extruding the dental material contained within the cartridge or tip. They
both relate to an opaque cartridge having a first linear axis for the
reservoir or body portion and a second linear axis for the nozzle
discharge portion. Both cartridges are additionally intended to contain a
light sensitive dental material that will cure or harden when exposed to a
specific wavelength of light. Therefore, the cartridges are intended to be
pre-loaded in a controlled environment for subsequent distribution to the
dentist. The dentist then dispenses the dental material contained therein
in a single application.
While these cartridges or tips are appropriate for some applications, they
are not desirable in many others. In many applications, the dentist may
wish to fill his own cartridges for dispensing dental material of his own
choice. It is often difficult to fill, by hand, an unfilled opaque
cartridge. This is because of the inability to see the material being
placed therein. Additionally, it is difficult to determine the quantity or
volume of material being placed within an opaque cartridge. In many
instances, a dentist may not require or desire a full cartridge.
Additionally, the straight cartridge having a relatively large end in
relation to the nozzle portion makes visibility difficult in the small and
confining areas of the mouth where the dentist must work. Also,
consistency of material is of primary concern in the application of dental
material in a cavity. In the cartridges having multiple axes and a change
of direction of material flow, often turbulence or air entrapment can
result. This is very undesirable in that voids or inconsistency of
material compromises the integrity of the filling. Further, the dental
material being relatively expensive, it is undesirable to leave any dental
material remaining within the cartridge. The material is often left in the
discharge nozzle portion that is at an angle to the body portion.
As should be readily appreciated from the above, there are many instances
in which an improved dental cartridge is needed to provide better dental
care at a reduced cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an improved cartridge or tip for
dispensing dental material, comprising a body portion opaque to actinic
light of the dental material contained therein and transparent to at least
a portion of the visible light spectrum. This permits the dentist to see
the material being placed within the body portion. In another embodiment,
dosing indicia are formed on the body portion so that a dentist, upon
filling the cartridge or tip, can place the appropriate volume of material
therein.
In another embodiment, the body portion is formed in the shape of a
toroidal segment improving visibility and material flow. This embodiment
is also combined with a piston having an appendage to fit within the
nozzle portion of the cartridge or tip. This permits complete extrusion of
the costly dental material.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to permit a dentist
to fill a cartridge with a light activated dental material of his own
choice.
It is another object of the present invention to avoid wasting costly
dental material.
It is yet another object of the present invention to improve the flow
characteristics of the cartridge, thereby providing more consistent, less
porous fillings.
It is an advantage of the present invention that the dental material is
visible within the body portion.
It is another advantage of the present invention that the dental material
will not cure within the cartridge.
It is yet another advantage of the present invention that the direction of
material flow within the cartridge is not changed.
It is still a further advantage of the present invention that nearly all of
the dental material is extruded.
It is a feature of the present invention that the body portion of the
cartridge is opaque to actinic light.
It is another feature of the present invention that dosing indicia are
placed on the body portion.
It is yet a further feature of the present invention that the nozzle and
body portion have a curved common axis, thereby improving flow
characteristics.
It is yet a further feature of the present invention that the piston or
plug has an appendage adapted to fit the discharge nozzle.
It is still another feature of the present invention that the end of the
nozzle has a relief angle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view illustrating the application of the
present invention.
FIG. 2 is a partial section isometric view of one embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 3 is a cross section of another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of yet another embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 5 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of yet a further embodiment
of the present invention.
FIG. 6 illustrates the toroidal segment embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 7 illustrates yet another toroidal segment embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 8 illustrates a still further toroidal segment embodiment of the
present invention.
FIG. 9 is a cross section of another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a front elevation view illustrating the application of the
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 illustrates a gun or syringe 10 for use with a tip or cartridge 12
of the present invention. The syringe 10 has a back handle 14 and a barrel
16 placed through a front handle 24. Within barrel 16 is a breach opening
18, through which cartridge 12 can be placed. Once cartridge 12 is placed
through breach opening 18, the plunger 20 is advanced by back handle 14 so
that plunger tip 22 forces the material contained within cartridge 22 out
of the nozzle 32. A similar dental material application system is
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,198,756 entitled "Manual Extruder" issuing to
Dragan on Apr. 22, 1980, which is herein incorporated by reference.
FIG. 2 more clearly illustrates the present invention. FIG. 2 illustrates a
cartridge 12 for holding a viscous dental material M similar to the device
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,963,093 entitled "Dental Syringe Tip and
Syringe Holder Therefor" issuing to Dragan on Oct. 16, 1990, which is
herein incorporated by reference. However, the present invention
illustrated in FIG. 2 is made of a material transparent to at least a
portion of the visible light spectrum, and opaque to the actinic light of
the dental material contained therein. Typically, the dental material
contained within a dental cartridge of the type illustrated in FIG. 2 is
light activated. Therefore, after the dental material is extruded from the
cartridge 12, and exposed to light, the material will harden or cure.
Therefore, prior to the present invention, all dental cartridges for
containing light sensitive material were made of a substance opaque to all
light. The cartridge 12 illustrated in FIG. 2, however, is made from a
material not completely opaque to light, but is opaque, or will block the
wavelength of light that is actinic to or that will activate or cure the
dental material contained therein. This wavelength is typically about 480
nanometers and may range between 400-525 nanometers. Other wavelengths of
light in the visible spectrum can be transmitted therethrough. Therefore,
a dentist can visibly see the material contained within the cartridge 12,
yet the light activated dental material will not cure even when the
cartridge is exposed to light for relatively long periods of time.
The cartridge 12 can be made from a clear nylon or polypropylene using a
transparent colorant having an orange tint. One transparent colorant that
has been successfully used is CNYD13238, available from Reed Plastics
Corp., Holden, Mass. This colorant has proven very successful in
preventing curing of the dental material.
In FIG. 2, more specifically, the cartridge 12 comprises a rear flange 26
connected to a body or reservoir portion 30. The body portion 30 has an
open end 42 and a closed discharge end 40. Communicating with the closed
discharge end 40 is a discharge nozzle 32. Thereby, a two axes tip is
formed. The first longitudinal axes is that of the body portion 30, and
the second longitudinal axes is that of the discharge nozzle 32. These two
axes typically intersect at an angle of approximately 135 degrees. This
angle has been found to be most convenient in applying the dental material
to teeth in the mouth and is often referred to as the "contra" angle. On
the body portion 30 are placed dosing graduations or indicia 36 and
partial dosing graduations or indicia 38. The dosing graduations 30 and 36
may be either raised, recessed, or painted on the body portion 30. These
dosing graduations permit the dentist to individually load an empty
cartridge 12 with a dental material of his choice in an amount required by
a specific application. Therefore, essentially no dental material, which
can be costly, is wasted. Alternatively, the cartridge 12 can be
pre-loaded with varying amounts of dental material. In this way, the
dentist can visibly see the quantity of dental material within the
cartridge 12 and select the cartridge containing the appropriate volume of
material needed for a specific patient. Therefore, a cartridge containing
more material than needed in particular application is not wasted due to
the practice of not using the same cartridge 12 on more than one patient
to prevent cross contamination.
In use, the dentist places dental material M in the open end 42 of
cartridge 12. The dentist places the material in cartridge 12 until a
desired dosing graduation is reached for the particular application.
Thereby, the dentist can control the specific volume of material to be
used. After obtaining the desired volume of material within cartridge 12,
the dentist places a plug or piston 28 sealing the open end 22. At the
same time, the dentist can place a nozzle cap 34 on the nozzle 32 thereby
preventing any contamination or the entry of actinic light until such time
as the cartridge 12 is to be used.
FIGS. 3-5 illustrate the various embodiments of a dental cartridge that can
all be made of a material opaque to the actinic light of the dental
material, but transparent to at least a portion of the visible light
spectrum. FIG. 3 illustrates a relatively complex shape designed to
improve visibility within the mouth of the cavity. The cartridge is
comprised of a rear flange 126 connected to a body portion 130, a
discharge end 140 and a discharge nozzle 132. On the body portion 130 are
positioned dosing graduations 136.
FIG. 4 illustrates another dental cartridge configuration of the present
invention. The cartridge illustrated in FIG. 4 is similarly made of a
material opaque to the actinic light of the dental material contained
therein, yet transparent to at least a portion of the visible light
spectrum so that the dental material contained therein can be visibly
seen. The cartridge illustrated in FIG. 4 comprises a rear flange 226
connected to a body portion 230. At either end of body portion 230 is an
open end 242 and a closed discharge end 240. Adjacent closed discharge end
240 is a discharge nozzle 232. In this embodiment, the discharge end 240
is hemispherical. A piston 228 is illustrated in open end 242. The piston
242 is advanced by plunger tip 222 to extrude the material contained
within the body portion 230. The piston 228 has a front surface that is of
a shape that complements the closed discharge end 240. Body portion 230
has thereon dosing graduations or indicia 236.
FIG. 5 illustrates yet another cartridge configuration. This configuration
comprises a flange 326 connected to a body portion 330 having an open end
342 and a discharge end 340. Adjacent discharge end 340 is a discharge
nozzle 332. The discharge end 340 has an internal shape of a conical
frustum or truncated cone. A piston 328 illustrated in the body portion
330 has a front end that complements the interior frusto-conical shape of
the discharge end 340. Thereby, nearly all of the material contained
within body portion 330 is extruded. However, a small portion of material
left within the bore of the discharge nozzle 332 remains even when the
piston 328 abuts the end of the discharge end 340. The piston 328 is
advanced by plunger tip 22 illustrated in phantom. Body portion 330 has
dosing graduations or indicia 336 thereon.
FIGS. 6-8 illustrate another embodiment of the invention that may be made
of a completely opaque material, or of a material that is opaque to the
actinic light of the dental material contained therein and transparent to
at least a portion of the visible light spectrum. The cartridges
illustrated in FIGS. 6-8 all have a toroidal segment body portion and a
discharge nozzle having a common curved longitudinal axis.
The cartridge illustrated in FIG. 6 has a flange 426 attached to a toroidal
segment body portion 430. Body portion 430 has an open end 442 and a
discharge end 440. Adjacent the discharge end 440 is discharge nozzle 432.
Discharge nozzle 432 is also a toroidal segment portion similar to that of
body portion 430, however, nozzle 432 has a diameter smaller than that of
body portion 430. Nozzle 432 and body portion 430 have a common curved
longitudinal axis. Discharge end 440 has an interior shape that is
frusto-conical. A modified piston 428 having an appendage 429 thereon can
be used in combination with the cartridge illustrated in FIG. 6. The
appendage 429 is adapted to fit within the nozzle portion 432 when the
piston 428 is advanced to the discharge end 440. The nozzle 432 and the
body portion 430 having a common curved axis, permits the appendage 429 to
readily enter the nozzle 432, thereby extruding substantially all of the
costly dental material contained within the cartridge. The appendage 429
can have a length from a portion of the length of the nozzle 432 to a
length somewhat in excess of the length of nozzle 432. When the appendage
length 429 is greater than that of the length of the nozzle 432, a portion
of the appendage 429 will extend from the end of nozzle 432 when the
piston 428 is completely advanced within the cartridge. This slight
extension from the nozzle 432 of appendage 429 can be an indication that
the material in the cartridge has been completely extruded, and that the
cartridge is empty. This is most helpful when the cartridge body is
completely opaque.
Nozzle 432 has a relief angle 444 at the end thereof. This relief angle 444
permits improved filling of a cavity. This relief angle permits the
portion of the nozzle furthest away from the center of rotation to be
longer than the portion of the nozzle 432 closest to the center of
rotation of the body portion 430 and nozzle 432 toroidal segments.
FIG. 7 illustrates another cartridge having a flange 526 attached to a
toroidal segment body portion 530. Body portion 530 has an open end 542
and a discharge end 540. Discharge end 540 is hemispherical in shape.
Adjacent discharge end 540 is a toroidal segment nozzle 532. On body
portion 530 are placed dosing graduations or indicia 536 and partial
graduations or indicia 538. The piston 528 has a surface complementing the
interior surface of the discharge end 540. Piston 528 also has an
appendage 529 adapted to fit within the nozzle 532. Nozzle 532 also has a
relief angle 544 improving the ability of the cartridge to fill a cavity.
FIG. 8 illustrates another cartridge and, additionally, show dashed lines
that more specifically indicate the formation of the desired shape of the
cartridge. The cartridge illustrated in FIG. 8 comprises a flange 626
attached to a toroidal segment body portion 630. Body portion 630 has an
open end 642 and a discharge end 640. The discharge end 640, in this
embodiment, is flat. Adjacent discharge end 640 and extending therefrom is
a nozzle 632. Nozzle 632 has a longitudinal axis common with that of body
portion 630. This common axis can clearly be seen to form part of a
circumference C. This circumference C is created by a radius R pivoting at
the central pivot point P. The toroidal segment is thereby formed having a
mean radius R. The toroidal segment is a cylindrical toroidal segment,
meaning that the interior diameter of the toroidal segment is circular and
a constant. The angle formed between line A and line B is such that a
tangent taken along the circumference at the intersection of line A and a
tangent taken along the circumference at the intersection of line B will
form an angle at their intersection of approximately 135 degrees.
Therefore, the toroidal segment 630 will be less than approximately
one-eighth of a whole toroid. Thereby, a convenient working angle of the
nozzle portion is obtained with a single common curved longitudinal axis.
This improves the visibility and the material flow within the cartridge
over that of a more complex or two axes cartridge. This single common axes
along a continuous smooth curve also permits the piston 628 to be guided
easily in the interior bore of body portion 630. For long cartridges, the
plunger tip 22 can be made to be slightly flexible permitting it to
conform to the curve of the cartridge. Additionally, piston 628 can
accommodate an appendage 629 that will be aligned within the bore of
nozzle 632. This permits the complete extrusion of all the dental material
contained within the cartridge, which has previously proven to be very
difficult. This is especially important in applications where the dental
material is costly.
The nozzle 632 also has a relief angle 644. Also, on body portion 630 is
placed dosing graduations 636 and partial dosing graduations 638. These
dosing graduations are helpful in providing the correct dose of dental
material when the cartridge is made of a material that is transparent to
visible light, yet opaque to the light actinic to the dental material.
However, the cartridge can also be made completely opaque in the
embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 6-8.
From the above, it can readily be appreciated that the present invention
provides an improved dental cartridge that permits the dentist to select a
dental material most appropriate for a particular application without
being dependent upon the material supplier providing pre-filled single use
cartridges. The dentist can simply use bulk material as conventionally
supplied by the dental material supplier and insert the dental material
from the bulk form into the dosing cartridge. The dentist, because the
material within the cartridge is visible, can select the volume of
material that is appropriate for the intended procedure. This saves
considerable material and as a result lowers the cost of dental care to
the patient. Additionally, the dentist can see the volume of material
remaining in the cartridge so as not to start a procedure which may
require more material than remains in the cartridge. This is especially
important in obtaining a consistent filling. Additionally, the toroidal
segment shape of several embodiments of the invention permits an appendage
to be placed on the piston which permits the complete extrusion of all the
dental material. The toroidal segment cartridge also improves visibility
in the small confines of a patient's mouth.
FIG. 9 is yet another embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 9, a
bulk dental material cartridge is illustrated. The bulk cartridge contains
a volume of material M sufficient for many applications to different
patients. The bulk cartridge comprises a cylinder 46. Cylinder 46 is made
of a material transparent to at least a portion of the visible light
spectrum and opaque to the actinic light of the dental material.
Therefore, dental material placed within cylinder portion 46 will be
visible to the dentist, yet will not cure or set when exposed to light. At
one end of the cylinder 46 is a threaded nut 48. Threaded nut 48 is placed
over threads 50 on the cylinder 46. A threaded piston 52 has threads 62
thereon. The piston 52 is threaded into a bore in nut 48 having threads
54. At the other end of the cylinder 46 is a nozzle 56. Sealing nozzle 56
is a cap 58. Cap 58 can be made of the same material as cylinder 46 or of
a completely opaque material so as to prevent light from entering the
nozzle 56. Similarly, threaded piston 52 can be made of the same material
as cylinder portion 46 or of a completely opaque material. Threaded piston
52 can also be made of a material having a contrasting color to that of
cylinder portion 46 so that the end of the piston 52 can readily be seen
within the cylinder 46. Additionally, on cylinder 46 are placed dosing
lines 60. The dosing lines 60 provide units of measure for dispensing the
dental material M. Because the cylinder 46 is transparent to visible
light, the dentist, when dispensing the material, can visibly see the end
of the piston 52. The end of the piston 52 can then be used, when matched
with the dosing lines 60, to dispense a measured quantity of material M.
FIG. 10 illustrates an application of the present invention embodied in
bulk cartridge 66 and a single patient cartridge 64. The single patient
cartridge 64 can be any one of those cartridges illustrated in FIGS. 2-8.
The dentist can then place any one of the single patient cartridges
generally represented as 64 in FIG. 10 onto the nozzle 56 of the bulk
cartridge 66. Thereby, the dentist can advance threaded piston 52,
dispensing the proper amount of material into the single patient cartridge
64. In this way, the dentist can easily load even completely opaque single
patient cartridges 64 with the proper amount of material for a specific
patient, depending upon the necessary work to be performed without wasting
the expensive dental material. Additionally, this provides the dentist
with a choice in his selection of materials without being dependent upon
which materials the dental supply companies provide in the single patient
cartridge form. Also illustrated in FIG. 10 are markings 63 placed on the
threaded piston 52 to help indicate dosing. As the piston 52 is advanced
displacing the material within the bulk cartridge 66 markings 63 can be
used with reference to the surface of nut 48 to indicate the number of
doses being placed in the patient cartridge 64. The markings 63 can be
made of two alternating colors, or a pattern of more than two colors or
shades of the same color indicating multiple doses. The markings 63 can be
used with a bulk cartridge 66 that is transparent to visible light, or
completely opaque. The markings 63 are most useful on a bulk cartridge
that is completely opaque.
Although the preferred embodiment has been illustrated and described, it
will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications may
be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.
Top